Stethoscope?
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I will be starting Nursing 1 this summer and we need to purchase a stethoscope....was wondering if anyone can recommend a brand and what is the difference between the single & double tubing? Thanks... Read More

Apr 27, '07

I replied to your post yesturday and now I have been getting replys to me instead of to you. I hope I didn't mess anything up, I am new at this as you can tell. Sorry, Let me know if I can do anything.
I say Littman classic, I love mine. Just put your name on it.

Apr 27, '07

I have a dumb question as I am not in school yet. I do own a cheapy stethescope (omron) but don't know what the purpose of the bell is. Would someone be able to explain it? Thanks.

Oh and it is an animal based site....but it has a nice description at the top about the parts and some easy descriptions of lung sounds.

Last edit by IrishIzCPNP on Apr 27, '07

Apr 27, '07

Thanks.

Apr 28, '07

I would avoid the double tubing stethoscopes...the tubing rubs together and makes alot of noise. You don't think that it will but I have always found that to be very distracting...I have the old littman classic lightweight, they still make it but it looks real cheap now mostly plastic. I don't like the cardiology scope only because the tubing is so short and it puts your face too close to the patients while assessing them. They are real sensitive, but expensive. The new classic II are what I would recommend, just make sure your name is on it...long tubing sensitive and will hear everything that a nurse needs to hear.

I would avoid the double tubing stethoscopes...the tubing rubs together and makes alot of noise. You don't think that it will but I have always found that to be very distracting...I have the old littman classic lightweight, they still make it but it looks real cheap now mostly plastic. I don't like the cardiology scope only because the tubing is so short and it puts your face too close to the patients while assessing them. They are real sensitive, but expensive. The new classic II are what I would recommend, just make sure your name is on it...long tubing sensitive and will hear everything that a nurse needs to hear.

They have a cardiology one where you can decide the length of the tubing. I think the longer is 27' which is what my cheaper Littman is. There is a shorter one. I have an old stethoscope that has short tubes and it drives me batty being that close to a patient. It also has double tubing but I don't use it enough but it makes sense that the 2 tubes could make extra noise.

Apr 28, '07

I bought a Prestige Medical stethoscope which came in a package along with a pocket organizer (penlight, matching waterproof watch, bandage scissors, and a few other things) all for $40. To be honest, I listen just as well with that stethoscope then I do with the more expensive ones my classmates have. I wouldn't waste the money for a few reasons.
1- They tend to get misplaced/stolen
2-Make sure that you'll be able to handle the program
3-To save money of course! Nursing school is expensive enough!

Apr 28, '07

I'm so glad to have stumbled across this topic. I am in the beginning to research what type of stethoscope to buy for school, so all this feedback is great.

Apr 28, '07

I've owned almost every known brand of steth. I am now using a Littman II Classic. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! I finally here what I am supposed to. With the others I'd say I can hear as well with my______(fill in name) as you do with your Littman. Uhh yeah, was I wrong. I had never used a Littman so I didn't realize what I was missing.

My Littman was $85ish. I never put it down, it never leaves my sight. I have an ID tag on the steth AND have my name engraved into it too.

IMHO, the only steth I'll ever own now is a Littman. My instructors all have commented that I made a sound investment in choosing the Littman.

If you do get one be sure to watch it like a hawk..they tend to walk away.

Apr 28, '07

I have a Littman Classic II SE, and it's GREAT!! It was about $70 online and I had my name put on it as well for an additional fee.

Apr 28, '07

Littman Classic II SE. $80.. and the best money ever spent. I forgot it at home one day and had to use one extra cheapo hanging around on the floor, talk about a waste of time, I could hear nothing compared to what I am used to. You can buy them with your name engraved on the tubing so that it is less likely to take a walk

Apr 29, '07

For Christmas last year one of my friends, who is a nurse, sent me a Prestige Clinical I stethoscope with purple tubing. It's the same one she uses at work and she said it's less likely to walk because it isn't black. The really cool part was the fact that she had the box signed by our favorite singer! So, not only do I have a really thoughtful and useful gift of a stethoscope before I even start nursing school, but I have a personalized message from my favorite grammy award winning musical artist!

Apr 29, '07

In nursing school and during research you're bound to hear the term "Gold standard" tossed around a fair bit. Here is a good start...
In nursing, Littmann is the gold standard for stethoscopes.